Eleanor Willems
April 1, 1932 – June 2, 2021
Eleanor Willems of Waldheim passed into glory with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on June 2nd, 2021.
Eleanor was the first child born to Henry and Minnie Litke of Dalmeny on April 1, 1932. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Dalmeny. Music and the church were her favourite things growing up. She enjoyed singing from a very young age and wrote that she loved singing harmony with her mom while doing household chores and gardening. She accepted Jesus as her Lord at the age of eleven at a Janz Team revival and was baptized and joined Dalmeny EMB Church shortly after that. At the age of seventeen she was mentored to begin teaching Sunday school and taught Sunday school for many years. Her love of teaching also prompted her to attend Teachers College in 1952 and eventually taught in several schools in the area. She attended one year at Briercrest Bible Institute in 1956.
Eleanor married Irvin Willems on August 16, 1957 and they lived in Dalmeny while she taught school and he worked in Saskatoon. In 1968 they bought a farm near Waldheim and relocated there. They transferred their membership to Salem EMB church and Eleanor spent many years involved in various ministries such as leading/attending women’s Bible studies, leading the junior choir and teaching VBS for the church and Mid Prairie Scripture Mission. In 2000 Irvin and Eleanor retired to the town of Waldheim. They enjoyed 5 winters in Mesa, Arizona where Eleanor was involved in Bible studies and the park’s church choir.
Eleanor leaves to mourn, her husband of almost 64 years, Irvin of Warman. Her 3 sons: Reg (Charlene) of Regina and their children, Kristen (Tyler) Durston of Regina, Breanne (Jared) Koster of Ottawa, Caleb (Jori) of Caronport; Trevor (Daphne) of Calgary and their children Elliot (Jaclyn) of Chiliwack, Zachery of Airdrie; Curtis (Sara) of Canwood and their children Tyson (Kaitlyn) of Regina and Teagan (fiancee Brody)Toyne of Calgary. She was blessed with 13 great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Irvine (Wendy) Litke of Hamilton, Mathilda (Mel) Ulriksen of Medicine Hat, and in-laws Maurine Willems, Lorne (Margaret) Willems, Len (Evelyn) Willems, Harv (Fern) Willems, Marj Willems, Bob (Sherry) Willems.
Eleanor is predeceased by her parents, her sister and brother in law Peter and Beth Dueck, and one daughter Kathy that died at birth.
A public come and go viewing following all current government restrictions will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 7-8:30pm at Dalmeny Funeral Home, 139 3rd Street, Dalmeny. A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm at Salem Church, 509 1st St South, Waldheim, SK. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
Click Here For Live Stream Link For Eleanor Willems Funeral
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
7 Comments
Please accept our condolences. Our prayers are with you. May God’s comforting arms be around you at this time.
Our deepest sympathy. So sorry we couldn’t be there for the funeral. Eleanor was a kind, loving, musical person. We are grateful fir her many years of ministry.
Irvin and family,
We were saddened to get the news this morning of Eleanor’s passing. We were so sorry that we had not heard sooner and would have attended the viewing last night.
We have wonderful memories of times we spent with you as neighbors and friends from church in Dalmeny. Our love and sympathy to your whole family.
Thanks for making the service available online. Wonderful selection of hymns and music and great tributes and memories. May the family be comforted by the Holy Spirit as you continue to remember all that she was and the impact she had in the lives of her family. Everyone who spoke was so honoring to Eleanor. super job.
Irvin and Family,
My love and sympathy to your whole family. Your experience with Covid-19 made it so difficult to visit her, but in eternity you’ll be together forever which is something to look forward to. May God comfort and strengthen you is my prayer.
I have a number of memories of Eleanor as she was my Sunday School teacher and of course one of the moms at church. Words like kindness, hospitality, encouragement and faithfulness come to mind. She loved Jesus and served him with her whole heart. May you have peace and comfort during this time.
Our condolences to you Mr. Willems and family. Being part of the Gideons and lifelong friends of our parents, we heard your names a lot growing up. Blessings, Vern and Erikas’ children
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